Places to stay - eco-friendly couples

After looking at eco-friendly accommodation for families, luxury and those on a budget, the final thing I wanted to look at is eco-friendly hotels for couples. That could mean people on a honeymoon, people looking for a romantic getaway or simply people who don't want there to be children in the hotel where they are staying. Here are a few suggestions:-

Guludo Beach Lodge, Mozambique - The spacious tented bandas at this eco-friendly lodge give panoramic views through the netted walls, creating a feeling of being outside while inside. Raised bedrooms, with King-size beds, sit under an expansive palm-thatched roof, opening upwards and outwards to make the most of the stunning sea views and cooling sea breeze.

Ibo Island Lodge, Mozambique - Rooms feature a King-size extra length hand-crafted bed with mosquito net and indigenous teak and mahogany handcrafted furniture. The wide verandas are furnished with hand crafted furniture and soft cushions. For relaxation there are the pools, the beach and massage and healing treatments are available.

Bartholomeus Klip, South Africa - Comfort is the keynote in the Luxury Rooms: specially made pure cotton bedding, luxurious toiletries, towelling gowns and no TV to spoil the country feeling. Food at Bartholomeus Klip is in the French tradition but with a local flavour and is one of the highlights of a stay here. Children under the age of 16 are not allowed at the Main House.

Shinta Mani Hotel, Cambodia – Rooms feature a King-size bed, bathrobe and slippers and other amenities. The restaurant offers elegant indoor dining and casual, yet upscale, terrace dining while offering both Khmer and Western style cuisine and the Shinta Mani Spa features intimate treatment rooms for singles or couples including one with a floral bath and steam room.

Sanctuary Retreat, Australia - Capturing the cool, green light of the rainforest, eco-friendly accommodation is in elevated secluded forest huts nestled in the rainforest canopy. Stay in one of the 16 minimalist huts, or really treat yourself with 1 of 7 deluxe canopy cabins, stylishly appointed with polished wooden floors, handmade natural timber furniture and spectacular bathrooms looking out high in the trees. Children aged 10 or under are not accepted at Sanctuary Retreat.

Hoopoe Yurt Hotel, Spain - Each eco-friendly yurt is individually decorated, such as the romantic Afghani yurt which has bent willow poles and a deep red ceiling, making it cosy and intimate. Each has a private bathroom, as well as an acre of private meadow with hammocks and comfortable shaded seating areas. Unwind with a full body massage, a reflexology session or some invigorating yoga, or simply relax on a sunbed beside the pool. Only 1 booking at a time is taken with children.

I hope these suggestions are useful - if anyone has been elsewhere and has any tips I'd love to hear them!

Eco Luxury!

Reading through some comments on a travel forum today it became clear that there are lots of different preconceptions about what eco-friendly accommodation actually entails. For example, I read a comment which said ‘I can’t afford anything like an eco-camp, so it will have to be a budget hostel’. On the other hand, some people think that budget and eco go hand in hand and the only image they seem to muster is that of composting toilets!

In reality, there is as great a range of eco-accommodation as any other holiday accommodation , ranging from budget to luxury, from jungle to city and from family-friendly to romantic-getaway. To prove it, over the next few days I plan to feature different eco-hotels and lodges which fall into these different categories, starting today with Eco Luxury!

Eco Luxury: Who says you can’t enjoy the finer things in life and be eco-friendly at the same time!

Campi ya Kanzi, Kenya – At this luxury camp you will find yourself sleeping in a linen-sheeted king-size bed, in a tented cottage which also features an elegant bathroom and a wide verandah for superb views of either Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Tsavo Hills, and the Chyulu Hills. In the evenings you will dine by candlelight on Italian cuisine, from fine table settings and crystal glasses.

Guludo Beach Lodge, Mozambique – Here you will stay in a spacious tented banda with a raised bedroom, with king-size bed, set under an expansive palm-thatched roof, opening upwards and outwards to make the most of the stunning sea views and cooling sea breeze. Here you will find European fine dining with an exotic local twist and world class fresh seafood.

Hotel de la Paix, Cambodia – As one of Siem Reap's most stylish hotels, this deluxe boutique property offers guests outstanding levels of luxury along with world-class dining and spa facilities. In the guestrooms, chic interiors and contemporary furnishings, including handcrafted lamps and intricate wall mountings, achieve a harmonious balance between modern design and traditional detailing.

Hotel Mocking Bird Hill, Jamaica – This luxury boutique hotel is romantic, peaceful and comfortable. The ten select accommodations have been lovingly appointed with hand crafted bamboo furniture, locally printed fabrics and decorated with original art. Guests are greeted with warm hospitality and can enjoy fine cuisine in the hotel’s highly acclaimed restaurant Mille Fleurs.

So there's just a few to get started with - spanning the Caribbean, Asia and Africa - but there are plenty more out there!